Steam generator, steam generator system and household appliance

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a steam generator ( 100 ), a steam generator system ( 1000 ) and a household appliance. The steam generator ( 100 ) includes: a housing ( 1 ), wherein at least two chambers spaced apart from each other are defined in the housing ( 1 ), the at least two chambers are in communication with each other via a communication groove ( 21 ) respectively, and two chambers thereof are provided with a water inlet ( 13 ) and a steam outlet ( 14 ) respectively; a heating element ( 3 ) formed in the housing ( 1 ) and used to heat and vaporize water in the housing into steam; and a flow passage formed in the housing ( 1 ) extending from the water inlet ( 13 ) to the steam outlet ( 14 ) via the at least two chambers.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application based on U.S. applicationSer. No. 15/307,516, filed Oct. 28, 2016, which claims the benefit ofprior Chinese Applications No. 201521042569.0, 201510933383.2,201521042440.X and 201510930659.1 filed Dec. 14, 2015. The entirecontents of the above-mentioned patent applications are incorporated byreference as part of the disclosure of this U.S. application.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a technical field of householdappliances, and more particularly to a steam generator, a steamgenerator system and a household appliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An existing boiler type steam generator has a large volume, and isinconvenient to add water.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure seeks to solve at least one of the problemsexisting in the related art to at least some extent. To this end, thepresent invention provides a steam generator having a small size, and itis convenient to add water.

The present invention further provides a steam generator systemincluding the above-described steam generator.

The present invention further provides a household appliance includingthe above-described steam generator system.

The steam generator according to embodiments of the present invention,includes: a housing, in which at least two chambers spaced apart fromeach other are defined in the housing, the at least two chambers are incommunication with each other via a communication groove respectively,and two chambers of the at least two chambers are provided with a waterinlet and a steam outlet respectively; a heating element formed in thehousing and used to heat and vaporize water in the housing into steam;and a flow passage formed in the housing and extending from the waterinlet to the steam outlet via the at least two chambers.

The steam generator according to embodiments of the present invention,at least two chambers spaced apart from each other are defined in thehousing, the at least two chambers thereof are in communication with thewater inlet and the steam outlet respectively, thus, when the steam isdischarged from the chamber in communication with the steam outlet, itis convenient to add water via the water inlet into the chamber incommunication with the water inlet, furthermore, compared with anexisting boiler type steam generator with a large size, the steamgenerator of the present invention has a smaller size, mounting thesteam generator in the household appliances together with the steamgenerator system facilitates achieving a miniaturization of thehousehold appliances.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a first chamber,a second chamber and a third chamber are defined in the housing, thethird chamber and the second chamber are provided in the housing side byside, the first chamber is defined between side walls of the thirdchamber and the second chamber and an inner side wall of the housing,the first chamber is in communication with the third chamber via a firstcommunication groove, and the third chamber is in communication with thesecond chamber via a second communication groove.

Further, the heating element is provided on side walls of the thirdchamber and the second chamber to heat the first chamber, the secondchamber and the third chamber.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the water inletis in communication with the first chamber, and the steam outlet is incommunication with the second chamber.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the firstchamber and the second chamber are defined in the housing via a dividingwall, at least one communication groove is provided in the dividing wallto make the first chamber in fluid communication with the secondchamber, the water inlet is in communication with the first chamber, thesteam outlet is in communication with the second chamber, and theheating element is provided on the dividing wall to heat the firstchamber and the second chamber.

Further, the dividing wall is formed as a plate-shape piece to separatethe first chamber and the second chamber, and make the first chamber andthe second chamber arranged side by side in a left-and-right direction.

Further, the dividing wall is formed as an annular piece to make thefirst chamber surround the second chamber.

Further, the flow passage includes a sub flow passage, at least one subflow passage is defined between the first chamber and the secondchamber, a barrier wall is provided in the at least one sub flow passageto reduce a flow velocity of the fluid, and the barrier wall is providedadjacent to the communication groove.

Further, the first chamber is provided with the barrier wall to reducethe flow velocity of the fluid, and the barrier wall is providedadjacent to the communication groove.

Further, the water inlet is located at a side of the barrier wall facingaway from the communication groove.

Further, the steam generator further includes a first water inlet pipein communication with the water inlet, and a water outlet end of thefirst water inlet pipe extends into the first chamber.

Further, the water inlet and the communication groove are located at asame side of the barrier wall.

Further, the steam generator further includes a second water inlet pipein communication with the water inlet, a free end of the second waterinlet pipe extends from a side of the barrier wall adjacent to thecommunication groove to the other side of the barrier wall afterencircling the dividing wall in a circumferential direction thereof.

Further, the second water inlet pipe has a plurality of first wateroutlet holes spaced apart.

Further, the free end of the second water inlet pipe is configured as awater outlet end.

Further, the steam generator further includes a third water inlet pipein communication with the water inlet, and a water outlet end of thethird water inlet pipe extends into a side of the first chamber facingaway from the communication groove after passing through the barrierwall.

Further, the steam generator further includes a fourth water inlet pipein communication with the water inlet, a free end of the fourth waterinlet pipe is closed, the fourth water inlet pipe passes through thebarrier wall and extends in a circumferential direction of the dividingwall, and formed with a plurality of second water outlet holes is formedin a length direction of the fourth water inlet pipe and spaced apart.

Further, steam generated in the first chamber forms steam cyclonicairflow after entering the second chamber via the communication groove.

Further, an extending direction of the communication groove is tangentto an inner circumferential wall surface of the second chamber, suchthat the steam generated in the first chamber tangentially enters thesecond chamber.

Further, the communication groove is formed in an upper portion of thedividing wall, and is adjacent to a top wall of the housing.

Further, the heating element further includes an electrical terminal,and the electrical terminal is embedded in the barrier wall and exposedvia a through hole in a side wall of the housing corresponding to thebarrier wall.

Further, the heating element heats the second chamber and the firstchamber simultaneously.

Further, the heating element is embedded in an interior of the dividingwall, an inner wall surface or an outer wall surface of the dividingwall.

Further, the heating element is helical in the circumferential directionof the dividing wall and is provided in the dividing wall.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the housingincludes a base and a cover used to seal the base; wherein the waterinlet and the steam outlet are both provided in the cover.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the steamgenerator further includes at least a temperature controller provided onan outer surface of the housing, and the temperature controller controlsenergization and de-energization of the heating element according to atemperature of the housing.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the steamgenerator further includes at least one fuse, each fuse includes asecond temperature sensor, the fuse is provided on the outer surface ofthe housing to make the second temperature sensor detect the temperatureof the housing; when the second temperature sensor detect that thetemperature of the housing is greater than a predetermined value, thefuse controls the heating element to be de-energized.

The steam generator system according to embodiments of the presentinvention, include an above-described steam generator, a water tank anda water pump, which pumps the water in the water tank into the housingcontinuously.

The steam generator system according to embodiments of the presentinvention has a small size by providing the above-described steamgenerator, it is convenient to add water into the steam generator, andapplying the steam generator system in the household appliancefacilitates achieving the miniaturization of the household appliance.

The household appliance according to embodiments of the presentinvention, includes an above-described steam generator system.

In the household appliance according to embodiments of the presentinvention, providing the above-described steam generator systemfacilitates achieving the miniaturization of the household appliance.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the household appliance isconfigured as a vacuum cleaner, a garment steamer, a range hood, acoffee maker, a washing machine, an air conditioner or a microwave oven.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the presentdisclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from thefollowing descriptions made with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a steam generator according to someembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the steam generator shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the steam generator shown in FIG. 2 takenalong line A-A;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the steam generator shown in FIG. 3 takenalong line A-A, in which an elastic element and a seal element areremoved from the steam generator;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the steam generator shown in FIG. 2 takenalong line B-B;

FIG. 6 is an exploded schematic view of a steam generator according toother embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a steam generator according to still otherembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial schematic view of the steam generator according toother embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the steam generator shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the steam generator shown in FIG. 9 takenalong line C-C;

FIG. 11 is a partial schematic view of the steam generator shown in FIG.7, in which a cover is removed from the steam generator;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the steam generator shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a partial schematic view of the steam generator according toyet other embodiments of the present invention, in which a cover isremoved from the steam generator;

FIG. 14 is a partial schematic view of the steam generator shown in FIG.13, in which a scale containing structure is taken away;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a fluid flow direction in the steamgenerator shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the steam generator according to otherembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the steam generator shown in FIG. 16taken along line D-D;

FIG. 18 is a schematic view of the steam generator shown in FIG. 16, inwhich a cover is removed from the steam generator;

FIG. 19 is a schematic view of a connection of a steam generator systemaccording to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a schematic view of a steam generator according to otherembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of a steam generator according to stillother embodiments of the present invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

1000: steam generator system;

100: steam generator;

1: housing; 11: first chamber; 12: second chamber; 17: third chamber;13: water inlet; 14: steam outlet; 15: base; 16: cover; 162: rib; 161:protruding post; 1611: passage opening; 1612: one-way passage; 163:raised line; 2: dividing wall; 22: groove; 21: communication groove;211: first communication groove; 212: second communication groove; 3:heating element; 31: electrical terminal; 4: pressure switch device; 41:seal element; 42: elastic element; 5: barrier wall; 51: first end wall;52: second end wall; 53: third end wall; 54: fourth end wall; 55: sealgroove; 61: first water inlet pipe; 62: second water inlet pipe; 621:first water outlet; 622: C-shaped pipe segment; 623: vertical pipesegment; 7: gain structure; 81: mesh grille; 82: strip grille; 83:columnar grille; 831: extending strip; 84: first snap groove; 85: secondsnap groove; 9: temperature controller; 10: fuse;

200: water tank; 300: water pump; 400: water softener.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Description will be made in detail to embodiments of the presentdisclosure, and examples of the embodiments will be illustrated indrawings. The embodiments described herein with reference to drawingsare explanatory, illustrative, and used to generally understand thepresent disclosure. The embodiments shall not be construed to limit thepresent disclosure.

In the specification of the present disclosure, it should be understoodthat the terms such as “central”, “length”, “upper”, “lower”, “left”,“right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “inner”, “outer”,“radial”, “circumferential”, etc. should be construed to refer to theorientation as then described or as shown in the drawings underdiscussion. These relative terms are for convenience and simplifying ofdescription, and do not alone indicate or imply that the device orelement referred to must have a particular orientation, or beconstructed or operated in a particular orientation. Therefore, theserelative terms should not be construed to limit the present disclosure.

A steam generator 100 according to embodiments of the present inventionwill be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 21. The steamgenerator 100 may be used in a steam generator system 1000, and inhousehold appliances with the steam generator system 1000, such as avacuum cleaner, a garment steamer, a range hood, a coffee maker, awashing machine, an air conditioner or a microwave oven, etc., and usedfor producing steam.

The steam generator 100 according to the embodiments of the presentinvention may include a housing 1 and a heating element 3 formed in thehousing 1. The heating element 3 can heat water in the housing 1 andvaporize the water into steam, so as to facilitate use of the householdappliance.

The housing 1 is provided with a sealed chamber, specifically, at leasttwo chambers spaced apart from each other are defined in the housing 1.The heating element 3 may heat the at least two chambers, and the atleast two chambers are in communication with each other via acommunication groove 21, such that it is convenient for the steam in achamber to enter another chamber via the communication groove 21.

Two chambers thereof are provided with a water inlet 13 and a steamoutlet 14 respectively. For example, when two chambers are defined inthe housing 1, in which one chamber is in communication with the waterinlet 13, and the other chamber is in communication with the steamoutlet 14. Thus, during the use of the steam generator 100, the steammay be discharged via the steam outlet 14 from the chamber incommunication with the steam outlet 14 under the heating of the heatingelement 3. Meanwhile the water may be added into the chamber incommunication with the water inlet 13 via the water inlet 13. A problemof inconvenience for adding water of an existing boiler type steamgenerator is solved. Furthermore, compared with the existing boiler typesteam generator with a large volume, the steam generator of the presentinvention has a smaller volume, so mounting the steam generator 100 inthe household appliances along with the steam generator system 1000facilitates to miniaturization of the household appliances.

A flow passage is provided in the housing 1, and extends from the waterinlet 13 to the steam outlet 14 via the at least two chambers. Forexample, when two chambers are defined in the housing 1, one chamber isin communication with the water inlet 13, the other chamber is incommunication with the steam outlet 14, and the flow passage extendsfrom the water inlet to the steam outlet via the chamber incommunication with the water inlet, the communication groove between thetwo chambers and the chamber in communication with the steam outlet.Such that after the heating element 3 heats the water in the chamber incommunication with the water inlet 13 to vaporize the water into thesteam, it is convenient for the steam to unidirectionally flow in theflow passage, to the steam outlet 14 and out via the steam outlet 14.

It should be understood that, when the steam is flowing in the flowpassage, the steam in the flow passage can be further heated by heatgenerated by the heating of the heating element 3 (for example, theheating element 3 is provided on a side wall of the chamber to heat theat least two chambers), such that a heat exchange area between theheating element 3 and the steam increases, which facilitates improvingthe dryness and temperature of the steam.

In the steam generator 100 according to the embodiments of the presentinvention, at least two chambers spaced apart from each other aredefined in the housing 1, the at least two chambers are in communicationwith each other via the communication groove 21, and the water inlet 13and the steam outlet 14 are in communication with two chambers of the atleast two chambers respectively, thus, when the steam is discharged fromthe chamber in communication with the steam outlet 14, it is convenientto add water via the water inlet 13 into the chamber in communicationwith the water inlet 13, furthermore, compared with the existing boilertype steam generator, the steam generator 100 of the present inventionhas a smaller size, mounting the steam generator 100 in the householdappliances along with the steam generator system 1000 facilitiesminiaturization of the household appliances.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG.21, a first chamber 11, a second chamber 12 and a third chamber 17 aredefined in the housing 1, the third chamber 17 and the second chamber 12are provided in the housing 1 side by side, and the first chamber 11 isdefined between side walls of the third chamber 17 and the secondchamber 12 and an inner side wall of the housing 1. The first chamber 11is in communication with the third chamber 17 via a first communicationgroove 211, the third chamber 17 is in communication with the secondchamber 12 via a second communication groove 212, which is simple instructure. Specifically, the heating element 3 is provided on the sidewalls of the third chamber 17 and the second chamber 12 to heat thefirst chamber 11, the second chamber 12 and the third chamber 17. Forexample, two heating elements 3 are provided, and the two heatingelements 3 surround the third chamber 17 and the second chamber 12respectively and are provided on the side walls of the third chamber 17and the second chamber 12 respectively, such that it is convenient forthe heating elements 3 to heat the first chamber 11, the second chamber12 and the third chamber 17 to vaporize the water in the housing 1 intothe steam rapidly. When the steam flows in the flow passage, it isconvenient for the heating elements 3 to heat the steam further, whichfacilitates improving the temperature and the dryness of the steam atthe steam outlet 14.

Further, the water inlet 13 is in communication with the first chamber11, the steam outlet 14 is in communication with the second chamber 12,thus, the flow passage extends from the water inlet 13 to the steamoutlet 14 via the first chamber 11, the first communication groove 211,the third chamber 17, the second communication groove 212 and the secondchamber 12 successively, which facilitates extending a length of theflow passage, such that the heating element 3 can heat the steam in theflow passage continuously to improve the dryness and temperature of thesteam at the steam outlet 14.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, as shown inFIGS. 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 to 15, and 20, a first chamber 11 and a secondchamber 12 spaced apart from each other are defined in the housing 1 viaa dividing wall 2. Thus, the dividing wall 2 provided in the housing 1facilitates increasing an inner surface area of the housing 1, so thatmore scale can conveniently adhere thereto, a decrease in energyefficiency and even a damage to the steam generator 100 resulting fromthe excessive scale can be avoided to some extent, and the service lifeof the steam generator 100 can be prolonged.

The dividing wall 2 is provided with at least one communication groove21 making the first chamber 11 in fluid communication with the secondchamber 12. The heating element 3 includes an electrical terminal 31,and the electrical terminal 31 of the heating element 3 is exposed via athrough hole formed in the housing 1.

The housing 1 is provided with the water inlet 13 and the steam outlet14, in which the water inlet 13 is in communication with the firstchamber 11, and the steam outlet 14 is in communication with the secondchamber 12. Thus, by providing the second chamber 12 and the firstchamber 11 spaced apart from each other in the housing 1, and meanwhile,making the water inlet 13 in direct communication with the first chamber11 and the steam outlet 14 in direct communication with the secondchamber 12, when the steam generator 100 is in operation, the water maybe added into the first chamber 11 via the water inlet 13 continuouslywhile the steam outlet 14 in communication with the second chamber 12discharges the steam continuously, thus solving a problem that the watercannot conveniently added in the existing boiler type steam generator.Furthermore, compared with the existing boiler type steam generator witha large size, the steam generator 100 of the present invention has asmall size, mounting the steam generator 100 in the household appliancestogether with the steam generator system 1000 facilitatesminiaturization of the household appliance. Optionally, the water inlet13 may be provided at any position of a top wall of the housing 1corresponding to the first chamber 11.

The heating element 3 is provided in the dividing wall 2 to heat thesecond chamber 12 and the first chamber 11. Specifically, by providingthe heating element 3 on the dividing wall 2, the thermal energyproduced by the heating element 3 can be conducted rapidly to the fluidin the second chamber 12 and the first chamber 11 at first, a liquidfluid can be vapored rapidly into a steam fluid after being heated toimprove the utilization rate of electrical energy, and the heatingelement 3 can be prevented from overheating locally. For example, theheating element 3 may be embedded in an interior of the dividing wall 2,an inner wall surface or an outer wall surface of the dividing wall 2 tofacilitate heating the second chamber 12 and the first chamber 11.Optionally, the heating element 3 may be integrally embedded in theinterior of the dividing wall 2 based on a casting process, or fixedlyprovided on the inner wall surface or the outer wall surface of thedividing wall 2 to facilitate heating the second chamber 12 and thefirst chamber 11. Of course, the present invention is not limitedthereto. The heating element 3 may also be provided at other positionsof the housing 1, such as in the second chamber 12 or the first chamber11, or the heating element 3 may be integrally embedded in any positionof the housing 1 based on a casting process. It should be understoodthat the dividing wall 2 provided in the housing 1 has a heat conductingeffect.

Specifically, the water entering the first chamber 11 via the waterinlet 13 is vaporized under the heating of the heating element 3. Whenthe steam or a mixed fluid of water droplets and the steam in the firstchamber 11 enters the second chamber 12 via the communication groove 21,the heating element 3 acts on the second chamber 12 simultaneously, todry the steam entering the second chamber 12 into a dry steam and thendischarged via the steam outlet 14. It should be understood that, in theheating process of the heating element 3, the water can be added intothe first chamber 11 continuously. Thus, by providing the heatingelement 3 in the dividing wall 2 to make the heating element 3 heat thesecond chamber 12 and the first chamber 11, and by adding water into thefirst chamber 11 via the water inlet 13 continuously, it is convenientfor the steam to be continuously discharged from the steam outlet 14, itnot only improves the utilization rate of the heating element 3, butalso shortens the pre-heating time of the steam generator 100, whichmakes the steam generator 100 continuously generate steam with a hightemperature and a great dryness.

Further, as shown in FIG. 20, the dividing wall 2 is formed as aplate-shape piece to separate the first chamber 11 and the secondchamber 12, and make the first chamber 11 and the second chamber 12arranged side by side in a left-and-right direction. Of course, thepresent invention is not limited thereto. The dividing wall 2 may alsobe formed as an annular piece, so that the first chamber 11 surroundsthe second chamber 12. For example, the dividing wall 2 is formed as anannulus or a square ring.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5 to 7, the housing 1 includesa base 15 and a cover 16 for sealing the base 15, in which, the waterinlet 13 and the steam outlet 14 are both provided in the cover 16.

Further, the dividing wall 2 is provided in the base 15 to define thefirst chamber 11 and the second chamber 12, to facilitate arrangement ofthe heating element 3 and the dividing wall 2, etc. in the housing 1. Ofcourse, the present invention is not limited thereto. The water inlet 13and the steam outlet 14 may also be provided at other feasiblepositions, for example, the water inlet 13 and the steam outlet 14 areprovided in the base 15, or the water inlet 13 and the steam outlet 14are provided in the base 15 and the cover 16 respectively, or othersarrangement positions capable of achieving an equivalent above-describedeffect.

Optionally, the cover 16 is connected to the base 15 through a fastenersuch as a bolt in a sealing manner. Further optionally, as shown in FIG.6, a bottom wall of the cover 16 is provided with a rib 162, and a topwall of the dividing wall 2 is provided with a substantially annulargroove 22. When the cover 16 covers on the base 15, the rib 162 isfitted with the groove 22, and meanwhile the cover 16 is furtherconnected to the base 15 through the fastener, which further improvesthe sealing performance of the connection between the cover 16 and thebase 15.

It should be understood that, the top wall of the housing 1 isconfigured as the cover 16, a side wall of the housing 1 is configuredas a side wall of the base 15, and a bottom wall of the housing 1 isconfigured as a bottom wall of the base 15.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the flow passage includesa sub flow passage, at least one sub flow passage is defined between thefirst chamber and the second chamber, and a barrier wall is provided inthe at least one sub flow passage to reduce the flow velocity of thefluid and adjacent to the communication groove. Further, the firstchamber 11 is provided with a barrier wall 5 therein to reduce the flowvelocity of the fluid in the first chamber 11, and the barrier wall 5 isprovided adjacent to the communication groove 21. Thus, the firstchamber 11 is configured as the sub flow passage to direct the flow ofthe steam, which is simple and reliable. The barrier wall 5 is providedin the first chamber 11 to configure the first chamber 11 as a C-shapedbody. For example, when the housing 1 of the steam generator 100 isconfigured to be a substantial regular body such as a cube, a cylinder,a sphere or an ellipsoid, etc. the barrier wall 5 is provided in thefirst chamber 11 to make the first chamber 11 have a substantialC-shaped cross section. When the housing 1 of the steam generator 100 isdesigned as an irregular body, the barrier wall 5 is provided in thefirst chamber 11 to make the first chamber 11 have a substantialC-shaped cross section with equivalent effect.

Optionally, the barrier wall 5 may be integrally formed with the sidewall of the housing 1. Specifically, four end walls of the barrier wall5 are connected to the housing 1 and the dividing wall 2 respectivelyand are provided in an integrally forming manner. For example, a portionof the side wall of the housing 1 is recessed into the first chamber 11inwards a center of the housing 1 to define the barrier wall 5. Ofcourse, the present invention is not limited thereto. The barrier wall 5and the housing 1 may also be two structures formed separately, forexample, the barrier wall 5 is welded in the first chamber 11.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 18, the barrier wall 5 includes a first end wall51, a second end wall 52, a third end wall 53 and a fourth end wall 54.In which, the first end wall 51 is integrally connected to the bottomportion of the housing 1 (i.e. the bottom portion of the base 15), thesecond end wall 52 is integrally connected to the side wall of thehousing 1 (i.e. the side wall of the base 15), the third end wall 53 isintegrally connected to the outer side wall of the dividing wall 2, andthe fourth end wall 54 is the top wall of the barrier wall 5. The fourthend wall 54 is provided with a seal groove 55 in communication with theabove-described groove 22 of the top portion of the dividing wall 2, aninner top wall of the housing 1 (i.e. a bottom wall of the cover 16) isprovided with a raised line 163 connected to the above-described rib162. When the cover 16 covers the base 15, the rib 162 is fitted in thegroove 22, and the raised line 163 is embedded in the seal groove 55, soas to make the barrier wall 5 reduce the flow velocity of the fluid inthe first chamber 11 such as the steam.

Further, the electrical terminal 31 of the heating element 3 is embeddedin the barrier wall 5 and exposed outside through the through hole inthe side wall of the housing 1 corresponding to the barrier wall 5.Specifically, as the barrier wall 5 is integrally formed with thehousing 1 and the dividing wall 2, the electrical terminal 31 of theheating element 3 provided in the dividing wall 2 is embedded in thebarrier wall 5, and the side wall of the housing 1 corresponding to thebarrier wall 5 is provided with the through hole, so that the electricalterminal 31 passes through the through hole and is exposed outside foran electric connection. Thus, the terminal of the heating element 3 isintelligently embedded in the barrier wall 5, which is simple instructure, and avoids a complicated arrangement of electric wires in thehousing 1.

Optionally, the housing 1, and the dividing wall 2 and the barrier wall5 formed in the housing 1 may all configured to be cast aluminum pieces.

Further, the water inlet 13 is located at a side of the barrier wall 5facing away from the communication groove 21, that is to say, the waterinlet 13 and the communication groove 21 are located at two sides of thebarrier wall 5 respectively. Thus, as shown in FIG. 15, the waterflowing into the first chamber 11 via the water inlet 13 is vaporizedinto the steam with low dryness under a heating effect of the heatingelement 3. Due to the effect of the barrier wall 5, the steam flows tothe communication groove 21 after flowing along the first chamber 11 andaround a circle of the outer circumferential wall of the dividing wall2, and enters the second chamber 12 via the communication groove 21. Thesteam is heated and dried again after entering the second chamber 12,and further the steam is converted into dry steam and is discharged viathe steam outlet 14. During the process, an area where the steamcontacts the inner and outer surfaces of the dividing wall 2 and theinner surface of the housing 1 is increased, and the heating element 3provided in the dividing wall 2 can be prevented from overheatinglocally, which makes for prolonging the service life of the dividingwall 2 and the service life of the heating element 3, improves theheating efficiency of the heating element 3, and meanwhile, furthershortens the pre-heating time of the steam generator 100 so as toimprove the dryness of the steam.

Specifically, the steam generator 100 includes a first water inlet pipe61 in communication with the water inlet 13, and a water outlet end ofthe first water inlet pipe 61 extends into the first chamber 11. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 15, the water outlet end of the first waterinlet pipe 61 extends downward into the first chamber 11. Thus, thewater outlet end of the first water inlet pipe 61 and the communicationgroove 21 are located at two sides of the barrier wall 5 respectively,the water outflowing from the water outlet end of the first water inletpipe 61 flows in the first chamber 11, and is converted into steam withlow dryness after being heated by the heating element 3, and the steamneeds to flow around a circle of the dividing wall 2 in order to enterthe second chamber 12 via the communication groove 21. During theprocess, an area where the steam contacts the inner and outer surfacesof the dividing wall 2 and the inner surface of the housing 1 isincreased, and the heating element 3 provided in the dividing wall 2 canbe prevented from overheating locally, which makes for prolonging theservice life of the dividing wall 2 and the service life of the heatingelement 3, improves the heating efficiency of the heating element 3, andmeanwhile, further shortens the pre-heating time of the steam generator100 so as to improve the dryness of the steam.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the water inlet 13 andthe communication groove 21 are located at a same side of the barrierwall 5.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8, 11 and 12, the steam generator 100includes a second water inlet pipe 62 in communication with the waterinlet 13, and a free end of the second water inlet pipe 62 extends froma side of the barrier wall 5 adjacent to the communication groove 21 tothe other side of the barrier wall 5 after encircling dividing wall 2 inthe circumferential direction. Thus, after the water entering the firstchamber 11 from the second water inlet pipe 62 is converted into thesteam under the heating effect of the heating element 3, at least aportion of steam in the first chamber 11 needs to flow around a circleof the dividing wall 2 in the circumferential direction in order toenter the second chamber 12 via the communication groove 21. During theprocess, an area where the steam contacts the inner and outer surfacesof the dividing wall 2 and the inner surface of the housing 1 isincreased, and the heating element 3 provided in the dividing wall 2 canbe prevented from overheating locally, which makes for prolonging theservice life of the dividing wall 2 and the service life of the heatingelement 3, improves the heating efficiency of the heating element 3, andmeanwhile, further shortens the pre-heating time of the steam generator100 so as to improve the dryness of the steam.

Of course, the present invention is not limit thereto. The water inletpipe may also be formed as other shapes, for example, a water inlet endof the water inlet pipe is in communication with the water inlet 13, andthe other end of the water inlet pipe is provided around a plurality ofturns of the dividing wall 2 in the circumferential direction. Or, theother end of the water inlet pipe may also be spirally wound around thedividing wall 2 in the circumferential direction.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 8, the second water inlet pipe 62 isprovided with a plurality of first water outlet holes 621 spaced apart.Thus, the water outflowing from the plurality of first water outletholes 621 may be injected on the outer circumferential wall of thedividing wall 2, so that a water flow or water membrane is formed on theouter circumferential wall of the dividing wall 2, and flows downwardalong the outer circumferential wall of the dividing wall 2, so that theliquid water has a sufficient heat exchange with the heating element 3,furthermore, the steam generated from the water injected from the firstwater outlet holes 621 of the second water inlet pipe 62 facing awayfrom the communication groove 21 needs to flow around a circle of theouter circumferential wall of the dividing wall 2 in order to enter thesecond chamber 12 via the communication groove 21, thus improving theheating efficiency of the heating element 3, shortening the pre-heatingtime of the steam generator 100, and meanwhile, preventing the heatingelement 3 from overheating locally to prolong the service life of theheating element 3. Optionally, the plurality of first water outlet holes621 are evenly spaced in a side of the second water inlet pipe 62adjacent to the dividing wall 2, which is convenient for the wateroutflowing from the first water outlet holes 621 to be injected on thedividing wall 2 as much as possible to facilitate the heating of theheating element 3. It should be understood that, when the plurality offirst water outlet holes 621 of the second water inlet pipe 62 are verysmall and inject atomized water droplets, the above-described advantagemay be further optimized.

In other specific examples of the present invention, the free end of thesecond water inlet pipe 62 is configured as a water outlet end, thus,the water outlet end of the second water inlet pipe 62 is separated fromthe communication groove 21 by the barrier wall 5, the water outflowingfrom the water outlet end of the second water inlet pipe 62 is convertedinto the steam under the heating of the heating element 3, and the steamneeds to flow around a circle of the outer circumferential wall of thedividing wall 2 in order to enter the second chamber 12 via thecommunication groove 21. During the process, an area where the steamcontacts with the inner and outer surfaces of the dividing wall 2 andthe inner surface of the housing 1 is increased, and the heating element3 provided in the dividing wall 2 can be prevented from overheatinglocally, which makes for prolonging the service life of the dividingwall 2 and the service life of the heating element 3, improves theheating efficiency of the heating element 3, and meanwhile, furthershortens the pre-heating time of the steam generator 100 so as toimprove the dryness of the steam. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 and11, the second water inlet pipe 62 includes a C-shaped pipe segment 622and a vertical pipe segment 623 perpendicular to the C-shaped pipesegment 622 and connected to the water inlet 13, which is simple instructure. Further, the second water inlet pipe 62 surrounds the outerside of an upper outer wall surface of the dividing wall 2, thus, atleast a portion of water discharged from the second water inlet pipe 62may be injected on the outer side of the upper outer wall surface of thedividing wall 2, and flow downward along the dividing wall 2, so thatthe water can fully exchange heat with the heating element 3, whichimproves the heating efficiency of the heating element 3, meanwhile, andprevents the heating element 3 from overheating locally to some extent.Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. The secondwater inlet pipe 62 may also surround other positions of the dividingwall 2 in a height direction, for example, the second water inlet pipe62 surrounds the outer side of a middle outer wall surface or a lowerouter wall surface of the dividing wall 2.

In other specific examples of the present invention, the steam generator100 may also include a third water inlet pipe (not illustrated) incommunication with the water inlet 13, a water outlet end of the thirdwater inlet pipe extends into the side of the first chamber 11 facingaway from the communication groove 21 after passing through the barrierwall 5, so as to make the water outlet end of the third water inlet pipeand the communication groove 21 located at two sides of the barrier wall5 respectively, which is convenient for the water outflowing from thewater outlet end of the third water inlet pipe to enter the firstchamber 11 and to be converted into the steam under the heating of theheating element 3, and at least a portion of the steam in the firstchamber 11 needs to flow around a circle of the dividing wall 2 in thecircumferential direction in order to enter the second chamber 12 viathe communication groove 21. During the process, an area where the steamcontacts with the inner and outer surfaces of the dividing wall 2 andthe inner surface of the housing 1 is increased, and the heating element3 provided in the dividing wall 2 can be prevented from overheatinglocally, which makes for prolonging the service life of the dividingwall 2 and the service life of the heating element 3, improves theheating efficiency of the heating element 3, and meanwhile, furthershortens the pre-heating time of the steam generator 100 so as toimprove the dryness of the steam. Further, the steam generator 100 alsoincludes a fourth water inlet pipe in communication with the water inlet13 (not illustrated), a free end of the fourth water inlet pipe isclosed, meanwhile, the fourth water inlet pipe passes through thebarrier wall 5, extends in the circumferential direction of the dividingwall 2, and the fourth water inlet pipe is provided with a plurality ofsecond water outlet holes (not illustrated) spaced apart in a lengthdirection of the fourth water inlet pipe. Thus, the water outflowingfrom the plurality of second water outlet holes may be injected on theouter circumferential wall of the dividing wall 2, so that a water flowor water membrane is formed on the outer circumferential wall of thedividing wall 2, and flows downward along the outer circumferential wallof the dividing wall 2, so that the liquid water has a sufficient heatexchange with the heating element 3, furthermore, the steam generatedfrom the water injected from the second water outlet holes of the fourthwater inlet pipe facing away from the communication groove 21 needs toflow around a circle of the outer circumferential wall of the dividingwall 2 in order to enter the second chamber 12 via the communicationgroove 21, thus improving the heating efficiency of the heating element3, shortening the pre-heating time of the steam generator 100, andmeanwhile, preventing the heating element 3 from overheating locally toprolong the service life of the heating element 3. Optionally, theplurality of second water outlet holes are evenly spaced in a side ofthe fourth water inlet pipe adjacent to the dividing wall 2, which isconvenient for the water outflowing from the second water outlet holesto be injected on the dividing wall 2 as much as possible. It should beunderstood that, when the plurality of second water outlet holes of thefourth water inlet pipe are very small and inject atomized waterdroplets, the above-described advantage may be further optimized.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the steam formedin the first chamber 11 forms a steam cyclonic airflow after enteringthe second chamber 12 via the communication groove 21. Specifically, anextending direction of the communication groove 21 is tangent to aninner circumferential wall surface of the second chamber 12, so that thesteam formed in the first chamber 11 tangentially enters the secondchamber 12 to form the steam cyclonic airflow.

Specifically, with the above-described configuration of thecommunication groove 21, under the heating of the heating element 3, thesteam in the first chamber 11 tangentially enters the second chamber 12via the communication groove 21, and forms the cyclonic airflow in thesecond chamber 12 to make the steam contact the inner wall surface ofthe second chamber 12, meanwhile, the cyclonic airflow may form aneffect of cyclone separator, so as to make the liquid water of the steamthrown onto the inner wall of the second chamber 12, vaporized rapidlyor flow downward along the inner wall, and the liquid water furtherforms the steam under the heating of the heating element 3. Thus, on onehand, the inner wall surface of the second chamber 12 can be preventedfrom overheating locally to some extent so as to prolong the servicelife of the heating element 3, meanwhile, the heating efficiency of theheating element 3 can be improved, the pre-heating time of the steamgenerator 100 can be shortened, and the temperature and the dryness ofthe steam at the steam outlet 14 can be increased; on the other hand,the scale in the steam is thrown onto the inner wall surface of thesecond chamber 12, and adheres to the inner wall surface of the secondchamber 12, which reduces the possibility for the scale to be dischargedfrom the steam outlet 14, and avoids a harm resulting from that thesteam outlet 14 is jammed by the scale.

Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 6, 8, and 11 to 15, the communicationgroove 21 is formed in the upper portion of the dividing wall 2 and isadjacent to the top wall (for example, adjacent to the cover 16) of thehousing 1. Thus, the steam formed by water which is heated by theheating element 3 can conveniently move upward and enter the secondchamber 12 from the first chamber 11.

According to some further embodiments of the present invention, as shownin FIGS. 3 and 4, a pressure switch device 4 is provided at the steamoutlet 14 to make the steam in the housing 1 discharged unidirectionallyvia the steam outlet 14. The pressure switch device 4 provided at thesteam outlet 14 can make the steam in the housing 1 discharged via thesteam outlet 14 at a constant velocity and a high pressure.Specifically, when the heating element 3 is used for heating, the waterin the housing 1 is vaporized into the steam continuously. The pressurein the housing 1 increases continuously, when the pressure in thehousing 1 is larger than a setting value, the pressure switch device 4is opened, so that it is convenient for the dry steam to be rapidlydischarged via the steam outlet 14 at a high pressure. When the pressurein the housing 1 decreases to be equal to or less than the settingvalue, the pressure switch device 4 is closed and the pressure switchdevice 4 will not open until that the pressure in the housing 1 reachesup to the setting value again. Thus, the pressure switch device 4provided at the steam outlet 14 may make the housing 1 always maintain acertain pressure therein, which not only facilitates improving asaturation temperature of the steam in the housing 1 to improve thetemperature and dryness of the steam at the steam outlet 14, but alsofacilitates improving the discharging velocity of the steam to ensurethat the steam is discharged via the steam outlet 14 continuously andavoid continuous attenuation phenomenon of the steam at the steam outlet14. In which, it should be understood that, the setting value of thepressure in the housing 1 is related to a weight of the pressure switchdevice 4, accordingly, the setting value of the pressure in the housing1 may be adjusted by adjusting the weight of the pressure switch device4.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a protruding post 161 extendsdownward from the cover 16, and a one-way passage 1612 having a passageopening 1611 is defined in the protruding post 161. In which, an upperend of the one-way passage 1612 is in communication with the steamoutlet 14, and the pressure switch device 4 is provided in the one-waypassage 1612. Thus, a structure is simple, and the protruding post 161extending downward from the cover 16 increases a surface area in thesecond chamber 12, so that the scale adheres to the outer surface of theprotruding post 161, which avoids a damage to the steam generator 100resulting from the excessive scale to some extent, so as to prolong theservice life of the steam generator 100. Of course, the presentinvention is not limited thereto. The cover 16 may not be provided withthe protruding post 161.

Optionally, the protruding post 161 has an annular cross section, and across sectional area of the protruding post 161 becomes smaller andsmaller in a direction away from the cover 16.

In some further specific examples of the present invention, as shown inFIG. 3, the pressure switch device 4 includes a seal element 41 and anelastic element 42. In which, the seal element 41 seals the passageopening 1611 under an elastic deformation force of the elastic element42. For example, the seal element 41 is located in the one-way passage1612 and a lower end thereof seals the passage opening 1611, the elasticelement 42 abuts between the steam outlet 14 and the seal element 41, sothat it is convenient for the seal element 41 to seal the passageopening 1611 according to the elastic deformation force of the elasticelement 42. Thus, when the heating element 3 is heating, the pressure inthe housing 1 increases continuously, and when the pressure in thehousing 1 is larger than a setting value, the steam in the housing 1pushes the seal element 41 up to make the elastic element 42 in acompressed state, so that it is convenient for the steam to pass throughthe passage opening 1611 and further pass through the one-way passage1612 and finally be discharged via the steam outlet 14; when thepressure in the housing 1 is equal to or less than the setting value,the elastic element 42 abuts the seal element 41 against the passageopening 1611 to seal the passage opening 1611.

On the one hand, the above configuration can facilitate furtherimproving a saturation temperature of the steam in the housing 1 toimprove the temperature and dryness of the steam at the steam outlet 14,but also can facilitate improving the discharging velocity of the steamto ensure that the steam is discharged via the steam outlet 14continuously and avoid a continuous attenuation phenomenon of the steam.On the other hand, the provided elastic element 42 and the seal element41 can also block the scale and the liquid water of the steam in thehousing 1, which not only avoids a pipe jam due to that the scale isdischarged into the pipe connected to the steam outlet 14 with thesteam, but also further improves the dryness of the steam discharged viathe steam outlet 14. In which, it should be understood that, the settingvalue of the pressure in the housing 1 is related to a weight of theelastic element 42 and the seal element 41, and an elastic coefficientand a deformation length of the elastic element 42. Accordingly, thesetting value of the pressure in the housing 1 may be adjusted byadjusting the weight of the elastic element 42 and the seal element 41,and the elastic coefficient and the deformation length of the elasticelement 42.

Optionally, the seal element 41 may be in the shape of a sphere, acylinder, a cone or a cuboid, etc. Of course, it should be understoodthat, the seal element 41 may also be in the shape of other forms aslong as the passage opening 1611 can be closed and opened. Optionally,the seal element 41 may be configured as a piston, and the elasticelement 42 may be configured as a spring.

Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. In otherembodiments of the present invention, the pressure switch device 4includes a one-way valve plate provided at the steam outlet 14. Forexample, the pressure switch device 4 may be configured as the one-wayvalve plate to make the steam discharged unidirectionally via the steamoutlet 14, which is simple in structure.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the heating element 3 mayheat the second chamber 12 and the first chamber 11 simultaneously, thatis to say, in the whole operation process of the heating element 3, theheating element 3 always heat the second chamber 12 and the firstchamber 11 simultaneously. Of course, the present invention is notlimited thereto. When the heating element 3 just starts to operate, theheating element 3 does not heat the second chamber 12 and the firstchamber 11 simultaneously, after a period of time, the heating element 3heats the second chamber 12 and the first chamber 11 simultaneously. Forexample, during a period of time (for example, 5 seconds) when theheating element 3 just starts to operate, the heating element 3 firstheats the first chamber 11, so that it is convenient for the water inthe first chamber 11 to be converted into the steam as soon as possibleunder the heating of the heating element 3 to enter the second chamber12. After a period of time (for example, 5 seconds), the heating element3 heats the second chamber 12 and the first chamber 11 simultaneously,so that it is convenient for the heating element 3 to continue to heatthe water in the first chamber 11 and the steam entering the secondchamber 12, so as to increase the dryness of the steam discharged viathe steam outlet 14.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG.6, the steam generator 100 further includes at least one gain structure7. The gain structure 7 is accommodated in the second chamber 12 and/orthe first chamber 11, for example, the gain structure 7 may only beaccommodated in the second chamber 12, or the gain structure 7 may onlybe accommodated in the first chamber 11, or there are a plurality ofgain structures 7 and the plurality of gain structures 7 areaccommodated in the second chamber 12 and the first chamber 11respectively. Thus, by providing the gain structure 7 in the secondchamber 12 and/or the first chamber 11, not only an internal surfacearea of the second chamber 12 and/or the first chamber 11 increases,more scale can conveniently adhere to the gain structure 7, whichprolongs the service life of steam generator 100 to some extent, butalso the flowing of the scale with the steam can be blocked to reducethe possibility that the scale flows out via the steam outlet 14.

The gain structure 7 is in contact with the dividing wall 2, thustransferring the heat generated by the heating element 3 to the gainstructure 7 to facilitate the heat exchange between the gain structure 7and the steam and/or the water flowing through the gain structure 7, andincreasing the heat exchange area so as to improve the utilization rateof the heat from the heating element 3, reduce the operate time of theheating element 3 to some extent, and prolong the service life of theheating element 3, and indirectly prolong the service life of the steamgenerator 100, meanwhile, the temperature and dryness of the steam canbe increased.

Optionally, the gain structure 7 is not in contact with the inner sidewall of the first chamber 11 (i.e. the inner side wall of the housing1/the inner side wall of the base 15), so as to avoid heat radiation tothe exterior of the steam generator 100 to some extent due to a contactbetween the gain structure 7 and the inner side wall of the firstchamber 11. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. Thegain structure 7 may be connected to the outer side wall of the dividingwall 2 and the inner side wall of the first chamber 11 at the same time.

Further, the gain structure 7 is connected to the dividing wall 2, forexample, the gain structure 7 and the dividing wall 2 are integrallyformed in one piece, which is simple in structure. Of course, thepresent invention is not limited thereto. The gain structure 7 may alsobe provided on the top wall of the housing 1 (for example, the cover16); the gain structure 7 extends downward into the second chamber 12and/or the first chamber 11, and is in contact with the dividing wall 2.

Specifically, a lower end of the gain structure 7 is spaced apart fromthe bottom wall of the housing 1 to facilitate the flowing of the waterand the scale in the bottom portion of the housing 1 (the bottom portionof the cover 16), and to prevent the lower end of the gain structure 7from being in contact with the bottom wall of the housing 1 to avoid theaccumulation of the scale therebetween. Optionally, the gain structure 7has a substantially cross shaped cross section, and a cross sectionalarea of the gain structure 7 gradually decreases in an up-and-downdirection. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. Thegain structure 7 may also be in the shape of other forms, for example, aplate shape extending in an up-and-down direction.

Optionally, a plurality of gain structures 7 is provided, and theplurality of gain structures 7 is provided around the dividing wall 2 inthe circumferential direction. Specifically, the plurality of gainstructures 7 is provided around the dividing wall 2 in thecircumferential direction thereof and spaced apart. For example, fourgain structures 7 are provided, the four gain structures 7 areaccommodated in the first chamber 11 and evenly spaced around thedividing wall 2 in the circumferential direction thereof. It should beunderstood that, sizes and shapes of the plurality of gain structures 7may be the same, and may also be different.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the steamgenerator 100 further includes at least one scale containing structureprovided in the second chamber 12 and/or the first chamber 11. Forexample, the scale containing structure is only provided in the secondchamber 12, or the scale containing structure is only provided in thefirst chamber 11, or there are a plurality of scale containingstructures and the plurality of scale containing structures are providedin the first chamber 11 and the second chamber 12 respectively. Thus, byproviding the scale containing structure, not only the internal surfacearea of the second chamber 12 and/or the first chamber 11 can beincreased, more scale can conveniently adhere to the scale containingstructure, so as to prolong the service life of steam generator 100 tosome extent, but also the flowing of the scale with the steam can beblocked to reduce the possibility that the scale flows out via the steamoutlet 14.

Further, referring to FIGS. 10 to 18, the scale containing structure isconfigured to be at least one of a mesh grille 81, a strip grille 82 anda columnar grille 83.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, the scale containing structureis configured as the mesh grille 81, thus, facilitating increasing theinternal surface area of the housing 1 to facilitate adhering more scaleto the mesh grille 81, so as to prolong the service life of steamgenerator 100 to some extent, and meshes of the mesh grille 81 may alsoblock the flowing of the scale with the steam to reduce the possibilitythat the scale flows out via the steam outlet 14. Meanwhile, because ofthe mesh grille 81, a filter screen does not need to be disposed at thesteam outlet 14, so as to avoid problems in the art as followed: thesteam outlet 14 is blocked because the scale adheres to the filterscreen which is provided at the steam outlet 14, and a pipe is blockedbecause the scale on the filter screen flows into the external pipe incommunication with the steam outlet 14 under the impact of the steam,and etc.

It should be noted that, a mesh of the mesh grille 81 may be formed as acircular hole, a hexagonal hole, or holes in other shapes, which is notlimited by the present invention. It should be understood that, meshesof the mesh grille 81 may have the same size, of course, may also havedifferent sizes. Optionally, sizes of the meshes of the mesh grille 81are adjustable. For example, the sizes of the meshes of the mesh grille81 may be adjusted according to different water qualities and theoperating conditions in different regions.

Optionally, a plurality of mesh grilles 81 may be provided, and theplurality of mesh grilles 81 is spaced in the chamber where they are(i.e. the first chamber 11 and/or the second chamber 12). For example,as shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, three mesh grilles 81 are spaced in thefirst chamber 11, so that an adhesion area for the scale increases to agreater extent, and the flowing of the scale with the steam is blockedto a greater extent to decrease the possibility that the scale flows outvia the steam outlet 14.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the scale containing structureis configured as the strip grille 82, thus, facilitating an increase inthe internal surface area of the housing 1 to facilitate adhering morescale to the strip grille 82, so as to prolong the service life of steamgenerator 100 to some extent, and the flowing of the scale along withthe steam can be blocked to reduce the possibility that the scale flowsout via the steam outlet 14. Meanwhile, because of the strip grille 82,a filter screen does not need to be disposed at the steam outlet 14, soas to avoid problems in the art as followed: the steam outlet 14 isblocked because the scale adheres to the filter screen which is providedat the steam outlet 14, and the pipe is blocked because the scale on thefilter screen flows into the external pipe in communication with thesteam outlet 14 under the impact of the steam, and etc. In addition,since each grille hole of the strip grille 82 extends in a heightdirection of the strip grille 82, when the scale is blocked by the stripgrille 82, the scale deposits downward to a bottom portion of the stripgrille 82, which reduces the probability that the strip grille 82 isblocked by the scale, and ensures a flow area of the steam via the stripgrille 82; and further when the steam is flowing through the stripgrille 82, the flow rate of the steam is not excessively large toprevent the scale from rushing out via the steam outlet 14 together withthe steam.

It should be understood that, sizes and the number of the grille holesof each strip grille 82 are adjustable, for example, the sizes of grilleholes may be adjusted according to different water qualities and theoperating conditions in different regions.

Optionally, a plurality of strip grilles 82 may be provided, and theplurality of strip grilles 82 is spaced in the chamber where they are(i.e. the first chamber 11 and/or the second chamber 12). For example,as shown in FIG. 18, three strip grilles 82 are spaced in the firstchamber 11, so that an adhesion area for the scale increases to agreater extent, and the flowing of the scale along with the steam isblocked to a greater extent to decrease the possibility that the scaleflows out via the steam outlet 14.

Further, the mesh grille 81 and/or the strip grille 82 are provided inthe first chamber 11, two ends of the mesh grille 81 and/or two ends ofthe strip grille 82 are connected to the inner side wall of the firstchamber 11 and the outer side wall of the dividing wall 2 respectively.For example, when the first chamber 11 is only provided with the meshgrille 81 therein, two ends of the mesh grille 81 are connected to theinner side wall of the first chamber 11 and the outer side wall of thedividing wall 2 respectively; when the first chamber 11 is only providedwith the strip grille 82 therein, two ends of the strip grille 82 areconnected to the inner side wall of the first chamber 11 and the outerside wall of the dividing wall 2 respectively; and when the firstchamber 11 is provided with the mesh grille 81 and the strip grille 82therein simultaneously, two ends of the mesh grille 81 and two ends ofthe strip grille 82 are connected to the inner side wall of the firstchamber 11 and the outer side wall of the dividing wall 2 respectively.Thus, the steam flowing through the first chamber 11 has to pass throughthe mesh grille 81 and/or the strip grille 82 in order to continue toflow forward, so that the flowing of the scale along with the steam isreliably blocked.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 14, the inner side wall of the firstchamber 11 is provided with a first snap groove 84, the outer side wallof the dividing wall 2 is provided with a second snap groove 85, and thetwo ends of the mesh grille 81 and/or two ends of the strip grille 82are snapped into the first snap groove 84 and the second snap groove 85,thus reliably fixing the mesh grille 81 and/or the strip grille 82 inthe first chamber 11 to avoid a move or a waggle of the mesh grille 81and/or the strip grille 82 in the first chamber 11 due to an unstablefixation of the mesh grille 81 and/or strip grille 82, which affects ause effect of the mesh grille 81 and the strip grille 82.

example, in a specific embodiment of FIG. 14, the first snap groove 84and the second snap groove 85 both extend in a height direction of thehousing 1 (i.e. a height direction of the base 15) to make the stripgrille 82 and/or the mesh grille 81 reliably fixed between the firstchamber 11 and the dividing wall 2. Specifically, the first snap groove84 is defined by two first protruding ribs protruding from the innerside wall of the first chamber 11 and being spaced apart from eachother. The second snap groove 85 is defined by two second protrudingribs protruding from the outer side wall of the dividing wall 2 andbeing spaced apart from each other, which is simple and reliable instructure. Optionally, the second protruding ribs and the dividing wall2 may be integrally formed in one piece, and the first protruding ribsand the housing 1 may be integrally formed in one piece.

In further embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 10 to12, a columnar grille 83 is located in the first chamber 11 and/or thesecond chamber 12, and the columnar grille 83 includes a plurality ofextending strips 831 substantially extending in a radial directionthereof, thus facilitating an increase in the internal surface area ofthe first chamber 11 and/or the second chamber 12 to facilitate adheringmore scale to the extending strips 831, so as to prolong the servicelife of the steam generator 100 to some extent; the extending strips 831may also block the flowing of the scale with the steam to some extent toreduce the possibility that the scale flows out via the steam outlet 14.

Specifically, the columnar grille 83 includes a number of rounds ofextending strips 831 distributed in the height direction of the housing1, each round includes a plurality of extending strips 831 distributedaround a circumference (for example, around a circumference of thedividing wall 2), so as to increase the internal surface area of thefirst chamber 11 and/or the second chamber 12 to a greater extent tofacilitate containing more scale, meanwhile, the flowing of the scalewith the steam can be blocked to a great extent to prolong the servicelife of the steam generator 100. Further, two adjacent rounds ofextending strips 831 are staggered from each other in a heightdirection, for example, a number of rounds of extending strips 831distributed in the height direction of the housing 1 (for example, theheight direction of the base 15) are staggered from each other. Thus,when the scale flows with the steam, the probability that the scalecontacts with the extending strips 831 increases, the flowing of thescale with the steam can be blocked, and further that the steam outlet14 and the pipe connected to the steam outlet 14 are blocked by thescale outflowing with the steam via the steam outlet 14 can be avoided,which prolongs the service life of the steam generator 100.

, the extending strips 831 extend from the outer side wall and/or theinner side wall of the dividing wall 2, for example, when the columnargrille 83 is provided in the second chamber 12, the extending strips 831extend from the inner side wall of the dividing wall 2 towards thesecond chamber 12; when the columnar grille 83 is provided in the firstchamber 11, the extending strips 831 extend from the outer side wall ofthe dividing wall 2 towards the first chamber 11; when the columnargrilles 83 are provided in the first chamber 11 and the second chamber12 simultaneously, the plurality of extending strips 831 extend from theouter side wall of the dividing wall 2 towards the first chamber 11 andextend from the inner side wall of the dividing wall 2 towards thesecond chamber 12 respectively.

some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,the heating element 3 is spirally around the dividing wall 2 in thecircumferential direction thereof and is provided in the dividing wall2. For example, there is one heating element 3 and the heating element 3is spirally around the dividing wall 2 in the circumferential directionthereof and is provided in the dividing wall 2. So that a contact areaof the heating element 3 and the dividing wall 2 increases to make theheating element 3 radiate more heat to the second chamber 12 and thefirst chamber 11 via the dividing wall 2, which shortens the pre-heattime of the steam generator 100 to improve the temperature and drynessof the steam. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. Aplurality of heating elements 3 may be provided, and the plurality ofheating elements 3 are distributed in an up-and-down direction of thedividing wall 2 and spaced apart from each other.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the steamgenerator 100 further includes at least one temperature controller 9,and the temperature controller 9 controls the energization andde-energization of the heating element 3 according to a temperature ofthe housing 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the temperature controller 9 is providedon an outer surface of the housing 1. For example, the temperaturecontroller 9 is provided on an outer top wall of the housing 1 (i.e. anouter top wall of the cover 16), on an outer bottom wall of the housing1 (i.e. an outer bottom wall of the base 15), or on an outer side wallof the housing 1 (i.e. an outer side wall of the base 15). Thus,providing the temperature controller 9 on the outer surface of thehousing 1 not only facilitates the installation, maintenance andreplacement of the temperature controller 9, but also optimizes anoperating environment of the temperature controller 9. The temperaturecontroller 9 does not need to operate under a harsh environment, suchthat a range of choice of the temperature controller 9 is enlarged, forexample, a temperature controller 9 with a low cost can be chosen, tofacilitate decreasing a cost of the steam generator 100.

Optionally, in some examples, the temperature controller 9 is configuredas an electronic temperature controller 9 which is connected with afirst temperature sensor, the temperature controller 9 is provided onthe outer surface of the housing 1 to make the first temperature sensordetect a temperature of the housing 1, and controls the energization andde-energization of the heating element 3 according to the temperaturedetected by the first temperature sensor. For example, when the firsttemperature sensor of the temperature controller 9 detects that thetemperature of the housing 1 is greater than a predetermined maximumtemperature, the temperature controller 9 controls the heating element 3to stop heating; when the first temperature sensor detects that thetemperature of the housing 1 is less than a predetermined minimumtemperature, the temperature controller 9 controls the heating element 3to heat. So that it ensures the use reliability of the heating element3, improves the use safety of the steam generator 100, and prevents thesteam generator 100 from burnout and other potential safety hazard,which results from an excessive high temperature due to continuousheating of the heating element 3.

Optionally, a plurality of temperature controllers 9 is provided andconnected in parallel, and may be provided at different positions on theouter surface of the housing 1 respectively to detect temperatures ofthe different positions on the housing 1. For example, when a firsttemperature sensor of a first temperature controller 9 detects that atemperature of a position on the housing 1 where the first temperaturecontroller 9 is located is greater than the predetermined maximumtemperature value, the first temperature controller 9 may control theheating element 3 to stop heating; after the heating element 3 stopsheating for a while, if a first temperature sensor of a secondtemperature controller 9 detects that a temperature of a position on thehousing 1 where the second temperature controller 9 is located is lessthan the predetermined minimum temperature value, the second temperaturecontroller 9 may control the heating element 3 to start to heat.

Of course, in other examples, the temperature controller 9 may beconfigured as a mechanical temperature controller 9 and is provided onthe housing 1, and the temperature controller 9 may be disconnected orreset to control the energization and de-energization of the heatingelement 3.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6,the steam generator 100 further includes at least one fuse 10 providedon the outer surface of the housing 1. For example, the fuse 10 isprovided on the outer top wall of the housing 1 (i.e. the outer top wallof the cover 16), on the outer bottom wall of the housing 1 (i.e. theouter bottom wall of the base 15), or on the outer side wall of thehousing 1 (i.e. the outer side wall of the base 15). So that itfacilitates the installation, maintenance and replacement of the fuse10.

Each fuse 10 includes a second temperature sensor, and the fuse 10 isprovided on the outer surface of the housing 1 to make the secondtemperature sensor detect the temperature of the housing 1. When thesecond temperature sensor detects that the temperature of the housing 1is greater than a predetermined value, the fuse 10 controls the heatingelement 3 to be de-energized. Specifically, when the second temperaturesensor of the fuse 10 detects that the temperature of the housing 1 isunusually high (for example, when the steam generator 100 is in anabnormal operation and the temperature controller 9 breaks down) and isgreater than the predetermined value, the fuse 10 can blow to make theheating element 3 de-energized so as to stop the heating element 3 fromheating, so that the use safety of the steam generator 100 is improved.

Optionally, a plurality of fuses 10 may be provided and is connected inparallel; the plurality of fuse 10 may be provided on differentpositions on the outer surface of the housing 1.

Further, the temperature controller 9 is provided on the outer side wallof the housing 1, for example, the temperature controller 9 is providedon the outer side wall of the base 15. Optionally, the fuse 10 and thetemperature controller 9 both are provided on the outer side wall of thebase 15.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 18,the housing 1 is configured as a cube, a sphere, an ellipsoid or acylinder, which is simple in structure.

Optionally, the steam outlet 14 is provided at a position correspondingto the center of the second chamber 12. Of course, the present inventionis not limited thereto. The steam outlet 14 may also be provided atother positions on the top wall of the housing 1 (i.e. the cover 16)corresponding to the second chamber 12, as long as it is convenient forthe steam in the second chamber 12 to be discharged.

Optionally, a central line of the dividing wall 2 and a central line ofthe housing 1 are collinear, that is to say, a central line of thesecond chamber 12 and a central line of the first chamber 11 arecollinear. Thus, it is convenient for the steam to pass through thefirst chamber 11 smoothly, and is convenient for the heating element 3to heat the steam in the first chamber 11 uniformly. Of course, itshould be understood that the central line of the second chamber 12 andthe central line of the first chamber 11 may also not be collinear.

As shown in FIG. 19, the steam generator system 1000 according toembodiments of the present invention, includes the above-described steamgenerator 100, a water tank 200, a water softener 400 and a water pump300. Optionally, the water pump 300 is configured as a displacement pumpor a vane pump.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, the water pump 300 is connectedbetween the water tank 200 and the water inlet 13, when the steamgenerator 100 is in operation, the water pump 300 pumps the water in thewater tank 200 into the housing 1 of the steam generator 100continuously, and the heating element 3 heats continuously.Specifically, V represents the flow rate of the water pump 300, when thesteam generator 100 is in operation, the water pump 300 pumps the waterin the water tank 200 into the housing 1 continuously at a flow rate of20 ml/min≤V≤100 ml/min. Specifically, when the steam generator system1000 is in operation, the water pump 300 pumps the water in the watertank 200 into the housing 1 of the steam generator 100 continuously at aflow rate of 20 ml/min≤V≤100 ml/min, so that it is convenient for thewater in the housing 1 to be rapidly vaporized into the steam underheating of the heating element 3, and the steam then is discharged viathe steam outlet 14. On the one hand, it is convenient for adding water,and a pre-heat time of the steam generator 100 is shortened, acontinuous discharge of the steam via the steam outlet 14 is ensured, sothat the operating efficiency of the steam generator 100 is improved. Onthe other hand, an arrangement of a level sensor, wiring, etc. in thesteam generator 100 is avoided, so that it is conductive to save thecost, and convenient for workers to assemble, meanwhile, the safetyperformance of the steam generator system 1000 is improved. It should benoted that, the water pump 300 pumps the water in the water tank 200into the housing 1 of the steam generator 100 continuously at a flowrate of 20 ml/min≤V≤100 ml/min, said “continuously” may be construed asthree embodiments that continuing without a stop or without a break,continuing at equal time intervals, or continuing at unequal timeintervals.

Optionally, P represents a power of the heating element 3, when 1000W≤P≤2500 W, 20 ml/min≤V≤100 ml/min. Thus, a degree of cooperationbetween the heating element 3 and the water pump 300 is optimized toavoid problems as followed: as the power of the heating element 3 is toolow, the water pumped into the housing 1 by the water pump 300 is toomuch, the water in the housing 1 spills over; and as the power of theheating element 3 is too high, the water pumped into the housing 1 bythe water pump 300 is too little, the heating element 3 has no water toheat but itself. Therefore, safety of the steam generator system 1000during use can be further improved.

In the steam generator system 1000 according to the embodiments of thepresent invention, providing the above-described steam generator 100facilitates adding water and miniaturization of the household appliance,as the steam generator system 1000 has a small size.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, when the steamgenerator 100 is in operation, the water pump 300 continuously pumps thewater in the water tank 200 into the housing 1, and the heating element3 continuously heats. That is to say, once the steam generator 100starts to operate, the water pump 300 continuously pumps the water inthe water tank 200 into the housing 1, and the heating element 3continuously heats. Of course, the present invention is not limitedthereto. In other embodiments, when the steam generator system 1000 isin operation, the water pump 300 may pump a predetermined amount ofwater in the water tank 200 into the housing 1 at equal intervals orunequal intervals, the heating element 3 may heat continuously. Forexample, the water pump 300 may pump the predetermined amount of waterinto the housing 1 every 5 minutes, the heating element 3 heatscontinuously, even after the water pump 300 has pumped the predeterminedamount of water into the housing 1 and stops pumping, the heatingelement 3 still heats. In which, it should be understood that, a timeparameter that the water pump 300 pumps water in the water tank 200 intothe housing 1 at equal intervals or unequal intervals may be adaptivelyadjusted according to the practical requirements.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the water tank 200, thewater pump 300 and the water inlet 13 of the steam generator 100 are incommunication with each other to form a water inlet pipeline, and thewater softener 400 is connected to the water inlet pipeline in series.Thus, the water softener 400 is connected to the water inlet pipeline inseries to soften the water in the water inlet pipeline, and the waterentering the steam generator 100 is softened, so that during use of thesteam generator 100, the scale in the steam generator 100 may besignificantly reduced, and a descaling treatment for the steam generator100 may be not required. Thus, the cost is saved, and the safety in useof the steam generator system 1000 is improved to prolong the servicelife of the steam generator system 1000.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 19, the water softener 400 is provided inthe water tank 200 to soften the water in the water tank 200. Of course,the present invention is not limited thereto. The water softener 400 mayalso be connected to other positions in the water inlet pipeline inseries, such as a position between the water pump 300 and the steamgenerator 100.

Optionally, the water softener 400 is configured as a softening resin ora reverse osmosis membrane, so as to improve a softening effect on thewater in the water inlet pipeline and remove the scale in the water to alarge extent.

The household appliance according to embodiments of the presentinvention includes the above-described steam generator system 1000.

The household appliance according to embodiments of the presentinvention has a small size by providing above-described steam generatorsystem 1000, which facilitates achieving the miniaturization of thehousehold appliance, and adding water into the housing 1 via the waterinlet 13.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the householdappliance may be a vacuum cleaner, a garment steamer, a range hood, acoffee maker, a washing machine, an air conditioner or a microwave oven.

In the present invention, unless specified or limited otherwise, theterms “mounted,” “connected,” “coupled,” “fixed” and the like are usedbroadly, and may be, for example, fixed connections, detachableconnections, or integral connections; may also be mechanical orelectrical connections; may also be direct connections or indirectconnections via intervening structures; may also be inner communicationsor interactions of two elements, which can be understood by thoseskilled in the art according to specific situations.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment,” “someembodiments,” “an example,” “a specific example,” or “some examples,”means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment or example is included in atleast one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. Thus, theappearances of the phrases in various places throughout thisspecification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment orexample of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in anysuitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition,those skilled in the art can combine the different embodiments orexamples and the features of the different embodiments or examplesdescribed in this specification without conflicting situations.

Although explanatory embodiments have been shown and described, it wouldbe appreciated that the above embodiments cannot be construed to limitthe present disclosure, and changes, alternatives, and modifications canbe made in the embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure bythose skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A steam generator, comprising a housing, whereinthe housing comprises: a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein:the first chamber and the second chamber are defined in the housing viaa dividing wall, the dividing wall being provided with a communicationgroove to make the first chamber in fluid communication with the secondchamber; and the first chamber is provided with a water inlet and thesecond chamber is provided with a steam outlet; a heating element formedin the housing and configured to heat and vaporize water in the housinginto steam; and a barrier wall provided in the first chamber andconfigured to block circular steam flow and water flow in the firstchamber, wherein the barrier wall comprises a first side and a secondside, the first side connecting an inner surface of the first chamberand the second side connecting an outer surface of the second chamber,and wherein the barrier wall is positioned adjacent to the communicationgroove such that the circular steam flow and water flow are blocked atthe communication groove, wherein the first chamber, the second chamberand the barrier wall together form a flow passage extending from thewater inlet to the steam outlet such that the steam in the housing flowsthrough flow passage from the first chamber to the second chamber viathe communication groove and then to the steam outlet.
 2. The steamgenerator according to claim 1, wherein the first chamber, the secondchamber and a third chamber are defined in the housing, the thirdchamber and the second chamber are provided in the housing side by side,the first chamber is defined between side walls of the third chamber andthe second chamber and an inner side wall of the housing, the firstchamber is in communication with the third chamber via a firstcommunication groove, and the third chamber is in communication with thesecond chamber via a second communication groove.
 3. The steam generatoraccording to claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises: multiplegain structures configured to increase heat exchange area and adsorbwater scale in the housing, at least one of the multiple gain structureshaving a column shape provided on a top wall of the housing andextending downward into the first chamber and/or the second chamber. 4.The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the dividing wall isformed as a plate-shape piece to separate the first chamber and thesecond chamber, and make the first chamber and the second chamberarranged side by side in a left-and-right direction.
 5. The steamgenerator according to claim 1, wherein the dividing wall is formed asan annular piece to make the first chamber surround the second chamber.6. The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the water inlet islocated at a side of the barrier wall facing away from the communicationgroove.
 7. The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the steamgenerated in the first chamber forms steam cyclonic airflow from thefirst chamber to the second chamber via the communication groove.
 8. Thesteam generator according to claim 1, wherein an extending direction ofthe communication groove is tangent to an inner circumferential wallsurface of the second chamber, such that the steam generated in thefirst chamber tangentially enters the second chamber.
 9. The steamgenerator according to claim 1, wherein the first side and/or the secondside is substantially vertical relative to a horizontal base of thehousing.
 10. The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the steamgenerator further comprises a first water inlet pipe in communicationwith the water inlet, and a water outlet end of the first water inletpipe extends into the first chamber.
 11. The steam generator accordingto claim 1, wherein the water inlet and the communication groove arelocated at a same side of the barrier wall.
 12. The steam generatoraccording to claim 11, wherein the steam generator further comprises asecond water inlet pipe in communication with the water inlet, a freeend of the second water inlet pipe extends from a side of the barrierwall adjacent to the communication groove to the other side of thebarrier wall after encircling the dividing wall in a circumferentialdirection.
 13. The steam generator according to claim 12, wherein thefree end of the second water inlet pipe is spirally wound around thedividing wall in the circumferential direction.
 14. The steam generatoraccording to claim 12, wherein the second water inlet pipe has aplurality of first water outlet holes spaced apart.
 15. The steamgenerator according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of first wateroutlet holes are substantially evenly spaced in a side of the secondwater inlet pipe adjacent to the dividing wall.
 16. The steam generatoraccording to claim 12, wherein the free end of the second water inletpipe is configured as a water outlet end.
 17. The steam generatoraccording to claim 1, wherein the steam generator further comprisesmultiple scale containing structures, and at least one of the multiplescale containing structures is provided in the second chamber and/or thefirst chamber and configured to adsorb water scale from steam in thehousing.
 18. The steam generator according to claim 17, wherein at leastone of the multiple scale containing structures is a mesh grille, astrip grille or a columnar grille.
 19. The steam generator according toclaim 18, wherein the mesh grille and/or the strip grille are providedin the first chamber, and two ends of the mesh grille and/or two ends ofthe strip grille are connected to the inner surface of the first chamberand the outer surface of the second chamber respectively.
 20. The steamgenerator according to claim 18, wherein the columnar grille is locatedin the first chamber and/or the second chamber, and comprises aplurality of extending strips extending substantially in a radialdirection from the outer surface of the second chamber to the innersurface of the first chamber.